Between them, Robert Bain and Gary Smith have invested the thick end of $100,000 in the All Blacks winning the Rugby World Cup next year.

Still one year out and already the two Bay of Plenty men have self-selected themselves as travelling, non-playing reserves for the All Blacks' defence of the trophy.

Tauranga man Gary Smith is ready to tour Europe, watching the All Blacks play.

Both Robert and Gary are hopelessly devoted rugby aficionados, both booking trips to follow the All Blacks to Europe – but that's where the similarities end.

'I had difficulty getting this one past the wife,” claims Robert Bain of Whakatane.

‘This one' being the $37,000 super deluxe, saturation World Cup tour – which consists of 47 days and 11 matches, including all the All Blacks' games.

A serious rugby bloke's nirvana – and serious dollars. To defuse any domestic complications, Robert threw more money at it, another $37,000, for another ticket. Wife Michelle is going too. He says: 'I needed a bag carrier”.

'She said: ‘Oh my God, rugby? Like watching paint dry',” says Robert.

So $74,000 all-up for a rugby trip, way more than the average New Zealand annual income and not bad fun for a bloke who admits his playing career never really took off.

Meanwhile, Gary's path to the world Cup finals is a whole lot easier – and cheaper.

'My wife suggested I go do it – so that's an opportunity not to be passed up,” says Gary.

His 20 days, including two quarter finals, all the semi-finals and grand final is setting him back $26,000.

Gary's travelling solo. 'I'm a random, although I should be meeting up with Ted (Sir Graham Henry) and Beaver (Stephen Donald).”

While he goes with his wife's blessing, Gary's appreciates 'there'll have to be some payback down the track. I've already started accumulating brownie points”.

Gary's played rugby in Waikato for Hamilton Old Boys; now he's an enthusiastic fan.

Back in Whakatane Robert, a millworker, had to dip into his super to fund the trip.

'I have been at the mill for 35 years, so I just had to go and do it.”

Robert had to sugar-coat his plan when pitching it to wife Michelle. 'I said I only want 80 minutes a week to watch the All Blacks play. The rest of the time is yours.”

And she bought the idea – while Robert's feeding his passion, Michelle will be off to see another cathedral or castle. But she'll take in some rugby.

'It's not just the game – it's the occasion.”

However that's a huge investment to 'watch paint dry”.